How much childcare costs in South Carolina
Center-based infant care in South Carolina costs about $11,741 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $978 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $9,605, 12.0% of the median family income and 1.7× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across South Carolina's counties and weighted by population. 2026 figures are estimates scaled by the BLS day care and preschool CPI to August 2026.
| Age | Center, 2022 | Center, 2026 est. | Home, 2022 | Home, 2026 est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0 to 23 months) | $9,605 | $11,741 | $7,139 | $8,726 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $9,016 | $11,021 | $7,139 | $8,726 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $8,815 | $10,775 | $6,984 | $8,537 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $7,139 a year for an infant in South Carolina (2022 data): $2,466, or 26% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in South Carolina
Georgetown County, Greenwood County and Lancaster County have the highest center-based infant price in South Carolina, $11,558 a year in 2022 data, and Barnwell County the lowest, $4,882: a gap of $6,676 a year (137% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 countiesGeorgetown County, Greenwood County, Lancaster County | $11,558 | $10,835 | $8,459 | $8,018 | $64,288 to $87,642 | 13.2 to 18.0% |
| 3 countiesCharleston County, Greenville County, Richland County | $10,506 | $9,775 | $9,565 | $7,216 | $81,801 to $104,928 | 10.0 to 12.8% |
12 countiesAiken County, Anderson County, Beaufort County, Berkeley County, Dorchester County, Florence County, Horry County, Lexington County, Pickens County, Spartanburg County, Sumter County, York County | $10,344 | $9,622 | $9,418 | $7,152 | $67,811 to $102,752 | 10.1 to 15.3% |
13 countiesAbbeville County, Calhoun County, Chester County, Chesterfield County, Clarendon County, Colleton County, Edgefield County, Fairfield County, Hampton County, Lee County, McCormick County, Saluda County, Williamsburg County | $6,095 | $6,095 | $6,615 | $6,962 | $50,829 to $77,263 | 7.9 to 12.0% |
| 5 countiesAllendale County, Bamberg County, Cherokee County, Marion County, Marlboro County | $5,856 | $5,856 | $5,080 | $6,038 | $46,243 to $64,216 | 9.1 to 12.7% |
9 countiesDarlington County, Dillon County, Jasper County, Kershaw County, Laurens County, Newberry County, Oconee County, Orangeburg County, Union County | $5,774 | $5,774 | $6,294 | $6,905 | $48,272 to $75,729 | 7.6 to 12.0% |
| Barnwell County | $4,882 | $4,882 | $5,402 | $6,095 | $63,574 | 7.7% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 46 center-based infant prices here are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
See how South Carolina compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in South Carolina per month?
Center-based infant care in South Carolina costs about $978 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($800 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $918 and preschool about $898 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $727. These are population-weighted averages across South Carolina's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in South Carolina?
Georgetown County, Greenwood County and Lancaster County have the highest center-based infant price in South Carolina, $11,558 a year in 2022 data, and Barnwell County the lowest, $4,882: a gap of $6,676 a year (137% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in South Carolina?
Center-based infant care takes about 12.0% of the median family income in South Carolina ($9,605 against $79,886, 2022 data), 1.7× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 34 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 7.6% in Kershaw County to 18.0% in Greenwood County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for South Carolina). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)